Providing protection for information delivered in demodulation reference signals (DMRS)

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A device—such as a base station or user equipment (UE)—may transmit a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) including signaling information in addition to channel estimation information. To improve reception of the DMRS signaling information, the transmitting device may employ data protection techniques to the signaling information and modify a data payload transmitted in the physical data channel associated with the DMRS. In one aspect, the transmitting device may modify cyclic redundancy check (CRC) bits in the payload to include verification for the signaling information. In another aspect, the transmitting device may determine a scrambling code based on the signaling information, and may scramble the payload based on the scrambling code.

CROSS REFERENCES

The present Application for Patent claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/527,011 by Ly et al., entitled “ProvidingProtection For Information Delivered in DMRS,” filed Jun. 29, 2017,assigned to the assignee hereof. The provisional application isincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The following relates generally to wireless communication, and morespecifically to providing protection for information delivered indemodulation reference signals (DMRS).

Wireless communications systems are widely deployed to provide varioustypes of communication content such as voice, video, packet data,messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems may be capable ofsupporting communication with multiple users by sharing the availablesystem resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of suchmultiple-access systems include code division multiple access (CDMA)systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequencydivision multiple access (FDMA) systems, and orthogonal frequencydivision multiple access (OFDMA) systems, (e.g., a Long Term Evolution(LTE) system, or a New Radio (NR) system). A wireless multiple-accesscommunications system may include a number of base stations or accessnetwork nodes, each simultaneously supporting communication for multiplecommunication devices, which may be otherwise known as user equipment(UE).

In some wireless communications systems, a device—such as a base stationor UE—may transmit a DMRS containing signaling information, channelestimation information, or both types of information. However, signalinginformation conveyed by a DMRS may be susceptible to detection errors atthe receiving device. If the receiving device incorrectly detects theinformation in the DMRS, the receiving device may experience processinglatency (e.g., system acquisition latency, handover latency, hybridautomatic repeat request (HARQ) retransmission delay, etc.).

SUMMARY

The described techniques relate to improved methods, systems, devices,or apparatuses that support providing protection for informationdelivered in a DMRS. The described techniques provide for identifying aset of reference signal bits associated with the DMRS and a set of databits associated with a data transmission. The techniques may provide forcalculating a set of cyclic redundancy check (CRC) bits as a function ofboth the reference signal bits and the data bits. In some cases, thetechniques may provide for identifying a scrambling code based on thereference signal bits and scrambling the data bits based on thescrambling code. Further described techniques provide for transmittingthe DMRS transmission and the data transmission.

A method of wireless communication is described. The method may includeidentifying a set of reference signal bits associated with a DMRStransmission and a set of data bits associated with a data transmission.The method may further include calculating a set of CRC bits based atleast in part on both the set of reference signal bits and the set ofdata bits, and transmitting the DMRS transmission and the datatransmission with the set of CRC bits.

An apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus mayinclude means for identifying a set of reference signal bits associatedwith a DMRS transmission and a set of data bits associated with a datatransmission. The apparatus may further include means for calculating aset of CRC bits based at least in part on both the set of referencesignal bits and the set of data bits, and means for transmitting theDMRS transmission and the data transmission with the set of CRC bits.

Another apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatusmay include a processor, memory in electronic communication with theprocessor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions maybe operable to cause the processor to identify a set of reference signalbits associated with a DMRS transmission and a set of data bitsassociated with a data transmission. The instructions may be furtheroperable to cause the processor to calculate a set of CRC bits based atleast in part on both the set of reference signal bits and the set ofdata bits, and transmit the DMRS transmission and the data transmissionwith the set of CRC bits.

A non-transitory computer readable medium for wireless communication isdescribed. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may includeinstructions operable to cause a processor to identify a set ofreference signal bits associated with a DMRS transmission and a set ofdata bits associated with a data transmission. The instructions may befurther operable to cause a processor to calculate a set of CRC bitsbased at least in part on both the set of reference signal bits and theset of data bits, and transmit the DMRS transmission and the datatransmission with the set of CRC bits.

In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above, the set of reference signalbits comprises a first subset of reference signal bits that may beconveyed with the DMRS transmission and a second subset of referencesignal bits that may be conveyed with the data transmission.

In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above, the set of CRC bits may becalculated based at least in part on the first subset of referencesignal bits, the second subset of reference signal bits, and the set ofdata bits.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for calculating a subset of the set ofCRC bits based at least in part on the second subset of reference signalbits and the set of data bits. Some examples of the method, apparatus,and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above may furtherinclude processes, features, means, or instructions for masking thesubset of the set of CRC bits by the first subset of reference signalbits.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for retrieving a bit string based atleast in part on the first subset of reference signal bits. Someexamples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readablemedium described above may further include processes, features, means,or instructions for combining the subset of the set of CRC bits with thebit string using an exclusive or (XOR) function.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for transmitting the first subset ofreference signal bits in the DMRS transmission and the second subset ofreference signal bits in the data transmission.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for appending the set of CRC bits tothe set of data bits.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for receiving configuration signalingindicating a CRC configuration for calculating the set of CRC bits.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for switching from a first CRCconfiguration for calculating the set of CRC bits to a second CRCconfiguration for calculating the set of CRC bits.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for switching from the first CRCconfiguration to the second CRC configuration based at least in part ona size of the set of reference signal bits, a size of the set of databits, a size of the set of CRC bits, or a combination thereof.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for identifying a scrambling code basedat least in part on the set of reference signal bits. Some examples ofthe method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable mediumdescribed above may further include processes, features, means, orinstructions for scrambling the set of data bits based at least in parton the identified scrambling code.

In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above, the data transmission may betransmitted using a physical data channel. In some examples of themethod, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium describedabove, the DMRS transmission may be transmitted using resources reservedfor DMRS transmissions.

In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above, the DMRS transmission mayconvey phase reference information associated with the physical datachannel.

A further method of wireless communication is described. The method mayinclude detecting a set of reference signal bits associated with a DMRStransmission, decoding a set of data bits associated with a datatransmission, receiving a set of CRC bits with the set of data bits, andperforming a CRC verification process based at least in part on the setof CRC bits, wherein the set of CRC bits is computed based at least inpart on both the set of reference signal bits and the set of data bits.

An apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus mayinclude means for detecting a set of reference signal bits associatedwith a DMRS transmission, means for decoding a set of data bitsassociated with a data transmission, means for receiving a set of CRCbits with the set of data bits, and means for performing a CRCverification process based at least in part on the set of CRC bits,wherein the set of CRC bits is computed based at least in part on boththe set of reference signal bits and the set of data bits.

Another apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatusmay include a processor, memory in electronic communication with theprocessor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions maybe operable to cause the processor to detect a set of reference signalbits associated with a DMRS transmission, decode a set of data bitsassociated with a data transmission, receive a set of CRC bits with theset of data bits, and perform a CRC verification process based at leastin part on the set of CRC bits, wherein the set of CRC bits is computedbased at least in part on both the set of reference signal bits and theset of data bits.

A non-transitory computer readable medium for wireless communication isdescribed. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may includeinstructions operable to cause a processor to detect a set of referencesignal bits associated with a DMRS transmission, decode a set of databits associated with a data transmission, receive a set of CRC bits withthe set of data bits, and perform a CRC verification process based atleast in part on the set of CRC bits, wherein the set of CRC bits iscomputed based at least in part on both the set of reference signal bitsand the set of data bits.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for determining whether the CRCverification process is successful.

A further method of wireless communication is described. The method mayinclude identifying a set of reference signal bits associated with aDMRS transmission and a set of data bits associated with a datatransmission. The method may further include identifying a scramblingcode based at least in part on the set of reference signal bits,scrambling the set of data bits based at least in part on the identifiedscrambling code, and transmitting the DMRS transmission and the datatransmission.

An apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus mayinclude means for identifying a set of reference signal bits associatedwith a DMRS transmission and a set of data bits associated with a datatransmission. The apparatus may further include means for identifying ascrambling code based at least in part on the set of reference signalbits, means for scrambling the set of data bits based at least in parton the identified scrambling code, and means for transmitting the DMRStransmission and the data transmission.

Another apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatusmay include a processor, memory in electronic communication with theprocessor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions maybe operable to cause the processor to identify a set of reference signalbits associated with a DMRS transmission and a set of data bitsassociated with a data transmission. The instructions may be furtheroperable to cause the processor to identify a scrambling code based atleast in part on the set of reference signal bits, scramble the set ofdata bits based at least in part on the identified scrambling code, andtransmit the DMRS transmission and the data transmission.

A non-transitory computer readable medium for wireless communication isdescribed. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may includeinstructions operable to cause a processor to identify a set ofreference signal bits associated with a DMRS transmission and a set ofdata bits associated with a data transmission. The instructions may befurther operable to cause a processor to identify a scrambling codebased at least in part on the set of reference signal bits, scramble theset of data bits based at least in part on the identified scramblingcode, and transmit the DMRS transmission and the data transmission.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for calculating a set of CRC bits basedat least in part on both the set of reference signal bits and the set ofdata bits.

In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above, the data transmission may betransmitted using a physical data channel. In some examples of themethod, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium describedabove, the DMRS transmission may be transmitted using resources reservedfor DMRS transmissions.

In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above, the DMRS transmission mayconvey phase reference information associated with the physical datachannel.

A further method of wireless communication is described. The method mayinclude detecting a set of reference signal bits associated with a DMRStransmission and a set of data bits associated with a data transmission,identifying a scrambling code based on the set of reference signal bits,and scrambling the set of data bits based on the identified scramblingcode.

An apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus mayinclude a processor, memory in electronic communication with theprocessor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions maybe executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to detect a set ofreference signal bits associated with a DMRS transmission and a set ofdata bits associated with a data transmission, identify a scramblingcode based on the set of reference signal bits, and descramble the setof data bits based on the identified scrambling code.

Another apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatusmay include means for detecting a set of reference signal bitsassociated with a DMRS transmission and a set of data bits associatedwith a data transmission, identifying a scrambling code based on the setof reference signal bits, and scrambling the set of data bits based onthe identified scrambling code.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wirelesscommunication is described. The code may include instructions executableby a processor to detect a set of reference signal bits associated witha DMRS transmission and a set of data bits associated with a datatransmission, identify a scrambling code based on the set of referencesignal bits, and descramble the set of data bits based on the identifiedscrambling code.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the data transmission may betransmitted using a physical data channel.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for performing a CRCverification process based on a set of CRC bits, where the set of CRCbits may be computed based on both the set of reference signal bits andthe set of data bits.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the data transmission may betransmitted using a physical data channel and the DMRS transmission maybe transmitted using resources reserved for DMRS transmissions.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the DMRS transmission conveysphase reference information associated with the physical data channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate examples of systems for wireless communicationthat support providing protection for information delivered in DMRS inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of resource element (RE) mapping thatsupports providing protection for information delivered in DMRS inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a CRC computation process with DMRSsignaling information that supports providing protection for informationdelivered in DMRS in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a CRC masking process with DMRSsignaling information that supports providing protection for informationdelivered in DMRS in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a CRC masking function that supportsproviding protection for information delivered in DMRS in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate example of process flows that support providingprotection for information delivered in DMRS in accordance with aspectsof the present disclosure.

FIGS. 9 through 11 show block diagrams of a device that supportsproviding protection for information delivered in DMRS in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of a system including a userequipment (UE) that supports providing protection for informationdelivered in DMRS in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 illustrates a block diagram of a system including a base stationthat supports providing protection for information delivered in DMRS inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 14 through 19 illustrate methods for providing protection forinformation delivered in DMRS in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In some wireless communications systems (e.g., new radio (NR) wirelesssystems), a device—such as a base station or a user equipment (UE)—maytransmit a DMRS associated with a physical data channel, and maytransmit a data payload on the same physical data channel. To extend thefunctionality of DMRS signaling, the DMRS may include signalinginformation in addition to channel estimation information. For example,the signaling information may be conveyed in the DMRS using pseudo noise(PN) sequences. Although the cross-correlation between PN sequences maybe low, a device receiving a DMRS may incorrectly detect a PN sequence,which may cause incorrect reception of the signaling information. Toimprove reception of the DMRS signaling information at a receivingwireless device, the transmitting device may employ data protectiontechniques to the signaling information and modify the data payload withinformation corresponding to the signaling information.

In one aspect, the transmitting device may employ CRC techniques toinclude verification for the signaling information. For example, thedevice may compute the CRC bits based on the signaling information inthe DMRS in addition to the information in the payload. In anotherexample, the device may compute a preliminary set of CRC bits based oninformation in the payload. The device may then mask the preliminary setof CRC bits using a bit array generated based on the DMRS signalinginformation. In both examples, the resulting set of CRC bits may includeindications of the correct DMRS signaling information. The device mayselect or be configured with a CRC configuration (e.g., computing theCRC based on the DMRS signaling information or masking the CRC based onthe DMRS signaling information) statically or dynamically. In somecases, the selection may be based on a number of DMRS signalinginformation bits, data payload information bits, CRC bits, or somecombination of these numbers of bits. The device may transmit the CRCbits in the data payload to a receiving device, and the receiving devicemay use the CRC bits to verify the decoding of information received inboth the data payload and the DMRS.

In another aspect, the transmitting device may determine a scramblingcode based on the DMRS signaling information. The device may scramblethe data payload bits based on the determined scrambling code.Accordingly, a receiving device may detect the DMRS signalinginformation, and may begin decoding the data payload based on thedetected DMRS signaling information. If the receiving device incorrectlydetected the DMRS signaling information, decoding of the data payloadmay fail early in the process due to the scrambled payload bits.

Aspects of the disclosure are initially described in the context ofwireless communications systems. Further aspects of the disclosure aredescribed with reference to a resource element (RE) mapping format, CRCprocesses with DMRS signaling information, a CRC masking function, andprocess flow diagrams. Aspects of the disclosure are further illustratedby and described with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams,and flowcharts that relate to providing protection for informationdelivered in DMRS.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system 100 inaccordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The wirelesscommunications system 100 includes base stations 105, UEs 115, and acore network 130. In some examples, the wireless communications system100 may be a 5th Generation (5G)/New Radio (NR) or long term evolution(LTE) (or LTE-Advanced (LTE-A)) network. In one aspect, wirelesscommunications system 100 may support enhanced broadband communications,ultra-reliable (i.e., mission critical) communications, low latencycommunications, and communications with low-cost and low-complexitydevices. The wireless communications system 100 may support conveyingsignaling information in DMRS transmissions in addition to channelestimation information. A device may protect the signaling informationwithin the DMRS (e.g., using CRC or scrambling techniques) and maymodify data transmissions to include the protection, which may improvedetection reliability and decrease latency associated with conveyingsignaling information in DMRS.

Base stations 105 may wirelessly communicate with UEs 115 via one ormore base station antennas. Each base station 105 may providecommunication coverage for a respective geographic coverage area 110.Communication links 125 shown in wireless communications system 100 mayinclude uplink transmissions from a UE 115 to a base station 105, ordownlink transmissions, from a base station 105 to a UE 115. Controlinformation and data may be multiplexed on an uplink channel or downlinkaccording to various techniques. Control information and data may bemultiplexed on a downlink channel, for example, using time divisionmultiplexing (TDM) techniques, frequency division multiplexing (FDM)techniques, or hybrid TDM-FDM techniques. In some examples, the controlinformation transmitted during a transmission time interval (TTI) of adownlink channel may be distributed between different control regions ina cascaded manner (e.g., between a common control region and one or moreUE-specific control regions).

UEs 115 may be dispersed throughout the wireless communications system100, and each UE 115 may be stationary or mobile. A UE 115 may also bereferred to as a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, asubscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, awireless device, a wireless communications device, a remote device, amobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, awireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobileclient, a client, or some other suitable terminology. A UE 115 may alsobe a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wirelessmodem, a wireless communication device, a handheld device, a tabletcomputer, a laptop computer, a cordless phone, a personal electronicdevice, a handheld device, a personal computer, a wireless local loop(WLL) station, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, an Internet ofEverything (IoE) device, a machine type communication (MTC) device, anappliance, an automobile, or the like.

In some examples, a UE 115 may also be able to communicate directly withother UEs (e.g., using a peer-to-peer (P2P) or device-to-device (D2D)protocol). One or more of a group of UEs 115 utilizing D2Dcommunications may be within the coverage area 110 of a cell. Other UEs115 in such a group may be outside the coverage area 110 of a cell, orotherwise unable to receive transmissions from a base station 105. Insome examples, groups of UEs 115 communicating via D2D communicationsmay utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system in which each UE 115 transmits toevery other UE 115 in the group. In one aspect, a base station 105facilitates the scheduling of resources for D2D communications. Inanother aspect, D2D communications are carried out independent of a basestation 105.

Some UEs 115, such as MTC or IoT devices, may be low cost or lowcomplexity devices, and may provide for automated communication betweenmachines, i.e., Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication. M2M or MTC mayrefer to data communication technologies that allow devices tocommunicate with one another or a base station without humanintervention. For example, M2M or MTC may refer to communications fromdevices that integrate sensors or meters to measure or captureinformation and relay that information to a central server orapplication program that can make use of the information or present theinformation to humans interacting with the program or application. SomeUEs 115 may be designed to collect information or enable automatedbehavior of machines. Examples of applications for MTC devices includesmart metering, inventory monitoring, water level monitoring, equipmentmonitoring, healthcare monitoring, wildlife monitoring, weather andgeological event monitoring, fleet management and tracking, remotesecurity sensing, physical access control, and transaction-basedbusiness charging.

In one aspect, an MTC device may operate using half-duplex (one-way)communications at a reduced peak rate. MTC devices may also beconfigured to enter a power saving “deep sleep” mode when not engagingin active communications. In some examples, MTC or IoT devices may bedesigned to support mission critical functions and wirelesscommunications system may be configured to provide ultra-reliablecommunications for these functions.

Base stations 105 may communicate with the core network 130 and with oneanother. For example, base stations 105 may interface with the corenetwork 130 through backhaul links 132 (e.g., S1, etc.). Base stations105 may communicate with one another over backhaul links 134 (e.g., X2,etc.) either directly or indirectly (e.g., through core network 130).Base stations 105 may perform radio configuration and scheduling forcommunication with UEs 115, or may operate under the control of a basestation controller (not shown). In some examples, base stations 105 maybe macro cells, small cells, hot spots, or the like. Base stations 105may also be referred to as evolved NodeBs (eNBs) 105.

A base station 105 may be connected by an S1 interface to the corenetwork 130. The core network may be an evolved packet core (EPC), whichmay include at least one mobility management entity (MME), at least oneserving gateway (S-GW), and at least one Packet Data Network (PDN)gateway (P-GW). The MME may be the control node that processes thesignaling between the UE 115 and the EPC. All user Internet Protocol(IP) packets may be transferred through the S-GW, which itself may beconnected to the P-GW. The P-GW may provide IP address allocation aswell as other functions. The P-GW may be connected to the networkoperators IP services. The operators IP services may include theInternet, the Intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), and aPacket-Switched (PS) Streaming Service.

The core network 130 may provide user authentication, accessauthorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and otheraccess, routing, or mobility functions. At least some of the networkdevices may include subcomponents such as an access network entity,which may be an example of an access node controller (ANC). Each accessnetwork entity may communicate with a number of UEs 115 through a numberof other access network transmission entities, each of which may be anexample of a smart radio head, or a transmission/reception point (TRP).In some configurations, various functions of each access network entityor base station 105 may be distributed across various network devices(e.g., radio heads and access network controllers) or consolidated intoa single network device (e.g., a base station 105).

Wireless communications system 100 may operate in an ultra-highfrequency (UHF) frequency region using frequency bands from 700 MHz to2600 MHz (2.6 GHz), although some networks (e.g., a wireless local areanetwork (WLAN)) may use frequencies as high as 4 GHz. This region mayalso be known as the decimeter band, since the wavelengths range fromapproximately one decimeter to one meter in length. UHF waves maypropagate mainly by line of sight, and may be blocked by buildings andenvironmental features. However, the waves may penetrate wallssufficiently to provide service to UEs 115 located indoors. Transmissionof UHF waves is characterized by smaller antennas and shorter range(e.g., less than 100 km) compared to transmission using the smallerfrequencies (and longer waves) of the high frequency (HF) or very highfrequency (VHF) portion of the spectrum. In some examples, wirelesscommunications system 100 may also utilize extremely high frequency(EHF) portions of the spectrum (e.g., from 30 GHz to 300 GHz). Thisregion may also be known as the millimeter band, since the wavelengthsrange from approximately one millimeter to one centimeter in length.Thus, EHF antennas may be even smaller and more closely spaced than UHFantennas. In some examples, this may facilitate use of antenna arrayswithin a UE 115 (e.g., for directional beamforming). However, EHFtransmissions may be subject to even greater atmospheric attenuation andshorter range than UHF transmissions.

Thus, wireless communications system 100 may support millimeter wave(mmW) communications between UEs 115 and base stations 105. Devicesoperating in mmW or EHF bands may have multiple antennas to allowbeamforming. That is, a base station 105 may use multiple antennas orantenna arrays to conduct beamforming operations for directionalcommunications with a UE 115. Beamforming (which may also be referred toas spatial filtering or directional transmission) is a signal processingtechnique that may be used at a transmitter (e.g., a base station 105)to shape and/or steer an overall antenna beam in the direction of atarget receiver (e.g., a UE 115). This may be achieved by combiningelements in an antenna array in such a way that transmitted signals atparticular angles experience constructive interference while othersexperience destructive interference.

Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless systems use atransmission scheme between a transmitter (e.g., a base station 105) anda receiver (e.g., a UE 115), where both transmitter and receiver areequipped with multiple antennas. Some portions of wirelesscommunications system 100 may use beamforming. For example, base station105 may have an antenna array with a number of rows and columns ofantenna ports that the base station 105 may use for beamforming in itscommunication with UE 115. Signals may be transmitted multiple times indifferent directions (e.g., each transmission may be beamformeddifferently). A mmW receiver (e.g., a UE 115) may try multiple beams(e.g., antenna subarrays) while receiving the synchronization signals.

In one aspect, the antennas of a base station 105 or UE 115 may belocated within one or more antenna arrays, which may support beamformingor MIMO operation. One or more base station antennas or antenna arraysmay be collocated at an antenna assembly, such as an antenna tower. Insome examples, antennas or antenna arrays associated with a base station105 may be located in diverse geographic locations. A base station 105may multiple use antennas or antenna arrays to conduct beamformingoperations for directional communications with a UE 115.

In some examples, wireless communications system 100 may be apacket-based network that operate according to a layered protocol stack.In the user plane, communications at the bearer or Packet DataConvergence Protocol (PDCP) layer may be IP-based. A Radio Link Control(RLC) layer may perform packet segmentation and reassembly tocommunicate over logical channels. A Medium Access Control (MAC) layermay perform priority handling and multiplexing of logical channels intotransport channels. The MAC layer may also use Hybrid ARQ (HARD) toprovide retransmission at the MAC layer to improve link efficiency. Inthe control plane, the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol layer mayprovide establishment, configuration, and maintenance of an RRCconnection between a UE 115 and a network device 105-c, network device105-b, or core network 130 supporting radio bearers for user plane data.At the Physical (PHY) layer, transport channels may be mapped tophysical channels.

A resource element may consist of one symbol period and one subcarrier(e.g., a 15 KHz frequency range). A resource block may contain 12consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain and, for a normal cyclicprefix in each OFDM symbol, 7 consecutive OFDM symbols in the timedomain (1 slot), or 84 resource elements. The number of bits carried byeach resource element may depend on the modulation scheme (theconfiguration of symbols that may be selected during each symbolperiod). Thus, the more resource blocks that a UE receives and thehigher the modulation scheme, the higher the data rate may be.

Wireless communications system 100 may support operation on multiplecells or carriers, a feature which may be referred to as carrieraggregation (CA) or multi-carrier operation. A carrier may also bereferred to as a component carrier (CC), a layer, a channel, etc. Theterms “carrier,” “component carrier,” “cell,” and “channel” may be usedinterchangeably herein. A UE 115 may be configured with multipledownlink CCs and one or more uplink CCs for carrier aggregation. Carrieraggregation may be used with both frequency division duplexed (FDD) andtime division duplexed (TDD) component carriers.

In one aspect, wireless system 100 may utilize both licensed andunlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands. For example, wireless system100 may employ LTE License Assisted Access (LTE-LAA) or LTE Unlicensed(LTE U) radio access technology or NR technology in an unlicensed bandsuch as the 5 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band. Whenoperating in unlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands, wireless devicessuch as base stations 105 and UEs 115 may employ listen-before-talk(LBT) procedures to ensure the channel is clear before transmittingdata. Operations in unlicensed bands may be based on a CA configurationin conjunction with CCs operating in a licensed band. Operations inunlicensed spectrum may include downlink transmissions, uplinktransmissions, or both. Duplexing in unlicensed spectrum may be based onFDD, TDD, or a combination of both.

In some systems, a base station 105 or a UE 115 may transmit a DMRS to areceiving device for the receiving device to perform channel estimationon a physical data channel. In one aspect, along with the channelestimation information, the DMRS may include additional signalinginformation (e.g., timing information or uplink control information). Toenhance the reliability of conveying such signaling information in DMRStransmissions, the transmitting device may include error detection checkbits in a data payload transmitted over the physical data channelassociated with the DMRS. For example, the transmitting device maycalculate CRC bits for the data payload based on the signalinginformation contained in the DMRS. In some aspects, the transmittingdevice may determine a scrambling code based on the signalinginformation in the DMRS, and may scramble the bits of the data payloadbased on the scrambling code. A receiving device may use the errordetection check or the scrambling code contained in the data payload toverify the detected DMRS signaling information.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system 200that supports providing protection for information delivered in DMRS inaccordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The wirelesscommunications system 200 may include base station 105-a, geographiccoverage area 110-a, and UE 115-a, which may be examples of thecorresponding devices and features described with reference to FIG. 1.Base station 105-a and UE 115-a may communicate on the uplink, downlink,or both over communication link 205. Both base station 105-a and UE115-a may transmit a DMRS 210 over communication link 205 along with adata payload 215. To provide protection and more reliable detection forthe DMRS 210, the transmitting device may modify the payload 215. Forexample, the transmitting device may include an indication within theCRC bits 230 of information (e.g., signaling information) transmitted inthe DMRS 210, or the transmitting device may determine a scrambling codebased on the information in the DMRS 210, and may scramble bits withinthe payload 215 based on the scrambling code.

A wireless transmitter (e.g., base station 105-a or UE 115-a) maytransmit a reference signal—such as a DMRS 210—to a receiving device inorder for the receiving device to perform channel estimation. Forexample, in the uplink, UE 115-a may transmit a DMRS 210 to base station105-a, and base station 105-a may estimate a channel quality or a phaseshift associated with the wireless channel based on the received DMRS210. In the downlink, base station 105-a may transmit a DMRS 210 to UE115-a for channel estimation (e.g., in addition to or instead oftransmitting a cell-specific reference signal). A DMRS 210 may beassociated with a physical data channel, such as a physical broadcastchannel (PBCH), a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), a physicaluplink control channel (PUCCH), a physical downlink shared channel(PDSCH), or any other channel that carries data payloads 215. A devicemay transmit the DMRS 210 over the associated physical data channel, orin resources allocated for DMRS transmission.

In some wireless systems—such as next generation or NR wirelesssystems—a device may extend the functionality of DMRS 210 beyond channelestimation. For example, base station 105-a and/or UE 115-a may includesignaling information 220-a in the DMRS 210. This signaling information220-a may include a timing indication, a payload identifier, or othersignaling information. For example, the timing indication may include asystem frame number (SFN), a synchronization signal block time index, orany other timing information associated with a physical data channel.The payload identifier may identify one or more multiplexed payloads 215in a physical data channel (e.g., for a PUSCH, uplink controlinformation (UCI) multiplexed payloads). The device may construct DMRSs210 using different DMRS sequences, where the different DMRS sequencesmay correspond to the signaling information to transmit within the DMRS210. The DMRS sequences may be constructed based on pseudorandom-noise(PN) sequences, which may reduce cross-correlation of bits betweendifferent DMRS sequences. In one example, if the device transmits 4 bitsof signaling information 220-a in a DMRS 210, the device may utilize oneof sixteen DMRS sequences to indicate the information. A devicereceiving the DMRS 210 may perform correlation and/or detection todetermine the signaled DMRS sequence. For example, at a receiver of thedevice, the device may correlate the received signal with a DMRSsequence hypothesis, and may select a received DMRS sequence based onthe hypothesis and the received DMRS signal. The PN sequences used toconstruct the DMRS sequences may limit the false alarm rate—that is, thereceiver may select an incorrect DMRS sequence, and in turn decodeincorrect information bits based on the incorrect detection of the DMRSsequence).

In some examples, a device (e.g., base station 105-a and/or UE 115-a)may transmit some signaling information 220-a in a DMRS 210, and maytransmit other signaling information 220-b within a data payload 215over a physical data channel. The device may determine the number ofbits of signaling information 220-a to transmit in the DMRS 210 and thenumber of bits of signaling information 220-b to transmit in the datapayload 215 based on a significance of the bits, a number of bitsavailable for signaling information in the DMRS 210, or other signalinginformation splitting criteria. The complete set of signalinginformation bits 220 may be referred to as N bits. In the examples wherethe signaling information bits are divided between the DMRS 210 and thedata payload 215, the signaling information bits 220-a transmitted inthe DMRS 210 may be referred to as N1 bits, and the signalinginformation bits 220-b transmitted in the payload 215 may be referred toas N2 bits. The signaling information bits 220 may include bitsindicating an SFN or a synchronization signal block. For example, forthe SFN, the device may transmit a total of 10 signaling informationbits 220, including 2 bits (e.g., N1 bits) in the DMRS 210 and 8 bits(e.g., N2 bits) in the data payload 215. In another example, the devicemay transmit all of the SFN signaling information bits 220 in the DMRS210, in which case the data payload 215 may not include any N2 bits.

A device may receive a DMRS 210, and in some examples the device maydetect an incorrect DMRS sequence associated with the DMRS 210 (e.g.,based on channel noise, an incorrect DMRS hypothesis, etc.). Thisincorrect DMRS detection may result in processing latency or delays atthe device. For example, the device may begin decoding a data payload215 received over a physical data channel (e.g., the PBCH) using theincorrect DMRS sequence, which may result in decoding failure. Thedevice may determine the decoding failure based on channel coding or CRCbits 230 associated with the data payload 215. In one aspect, the devicemay identify that the decoding failure is based on an incorrect DMRSsequence, and the device may remove the DMRS sequence from physical datachannel decoding.

However, in another aspect, the device may not determine whether thedecoding failure is based on the selected DMRS sequence or the receivedsignals corresponding to the data payload 215. In such an aspect, thedevice may not remove the DMRS sequence from data channel decoding. Insome procedures, the device may decode a data payload 215 despite usingan incorrect DMRS sequence. However, further processing of the payload215 (e.g., remaining minimum system information (RMSI) acquisition) mayeventually fail based on the incorrect DMRS sequence used for decoding.In one aspect (e.g., when receiving PUSCH DMRS 210), incorrect DMRSsequence detection may result in a delayed HARQ transmission. In any ofthe above aspects, the device may perform unnecessary or unsuccessfuldecoding operations on a data payload 215 based on an incorrect DMRSsequence, and may use additional time to correctly perform the decodingoperations or further procedures. Accordingly, improving the reliabilityof DMRS sequence detection may improve processing latency—such as systemacquisition latency, handover latency, or HARQ retransmission delay,among other processes—at the device.

The device may include protection within a data payload 215 to improvethe reliability of correctly decoding the data payload 215. For example,the data payload 215 may include error correcting code bits, such as CRCbits 230. The device may determine K CRC bits 230 by performing a CRCcomputation on the bits in the data payload 215 containing information.For example, the data payload 215 may include N2 signaling informationbits 220-b, as well as M other information bits 225. The K CRC bits 230may be based on both of these sets of information bits (e.g., the N2bits and the M bits). However, a DMRS 210 may not contain similar CRCbits to improve reliability of determining the N1 signaling informationbits 220-a. Instead, the device may modify the CRC bits 230 within thedata payload 215 to additionally include information about thecorresponding DMRS 210. For example, the device may alter the CRCcomputation or the resulting CRC bit sequence for the payload 215further based on the N1 signaling information bits 220-a transmitted inthe associated DMRS 210. In this way, a receiver may use the CRC bits230 in the data payload 215 to further improve detection of thecorresponding DMRS sequence.

The device may implement a static or dynamic CRC configuration design.In a static CRC configuration design, the device may implement a sameCRC determination process for all scenarios. In one implementation, thedevice may perform a CRC computation on the N1 signaling informationbits 220-a, the N2 signaling information bits 220-b, and the M otherinformation bits 225. In a second implementation, the device may performthe CRC computation on the N2 signaling information bits 220-b and the Mother information bits 225 to obtain a set of preliminary CRC bits, andmay perform a masking function on the preliminary CRC bits based on theN1 signaling information bits 220-a. In the static design, the devicemay implement one such implementation. However, in a dynamic CRCconfiguration design, the device may semi-statically switch betweenimplementations for determining the CRC bits 230. For example, thedevice may switch between implementations based on the number of N1bits, N2 bits, M bits, K bits, or some combination of these bits totransmit. In a specific example, the device may determine thresholdnumbers of N1 signaling information bits 220-a in relation to K CRC bits230, and may switch based on these threshold numbers. Below a certainthreshold of N1 bits, the device may implement the CRC computationdesign, and above the threshold the device may implement the CRC maskingdesign. For example, if the number of N1 bits is greater than half thenumber of K bits, but less than the total number of K bits, the devicemay select the masking implementation. Otherwise, the device may selectthe computation implementation.

The device may perform scrambling to improve protection for the DMRSsignaling information bits 220-a. For example, the device may determinea scrambling code based on the N1 signaling information bits 220-a inthe DMRS 210. The device may scramble some or all of the bits in thedata payload 215 based on this scrambling code. For example, the devicemay scramble the N2 signaling information bits 220-b, the M otherinformation bits 225, the K CRC bits 230, any other bits in the datapayload 215 (e.g., other redundancy bits), or some combination of thesesets of bits. A device may receive the DMRS 210 and the scrambled datapayload 215. If the receiving device incorrectly determines the DMRSsequence, decoding of the data payload 215 may fail based on thescrambling sequence. In this way, scrambling the data payload 215 mayimprove the processing latency, as the decoding of the data payload 215may automatically fail early in decoding based on the incorrect DMRSsequence.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of resource element (RE) mapping 300 thatsupports providing protection for information delivered in DMRS inaccordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The REmapping 300 may include REs allocated for DMRS transmission 305, PBCHtransmission 310, primary synchronization signal (PSS) transmission 315,secondary synchronization signal (SSS) transmission 320, or somecombination of these transmissions. Many other RE mapping formats may beused for the transmission of DMRS 305.

A UE 115 may transmit DMRS 305 on the uplink or a base station 105 maytransmit DMRS 305 on the downlink. In addition to the DMRS 305, the UE115 or base station 105 may additionally transmit a primarysynchronization signal (PSS) 315, a secondary synchronization signal(SSS) 320, or both. The PSS 315, SSS 320, or both may be transmittedover a different bandwidth than the bandwidth allocated for the PBCH310. For example, the PBCH 310 may span a first bandwidth 325 while thePSS 315 and SSS 320 may span a second bandwidth 330, which may be asmaller bandwidth. In one specific example, the first bandwidth 325 mayspan 288 resource elements (REs), while the second bandwidth 330 mayspan 127 REs. In one aspect, the UE or base station may leave a bufferon either end of the second bandwidth 330 where no signal istransmitted.

The UE 115 or base station 105 may interleave the DMRS 305 throughoutthe PBCH 310 bandwidth 325. In this way, DMRS 305 and PBCH 310 may betransmitted at a same time or during a same TTI (e.g., a same symbol orslot or subframe). The UE 115 or base station 105 may include anindication of the DMRS 305 within a CRC transmitted in the PBCH 310(e.g., using a computation process or a masking process). The PBCH 310may include protection for the DMRS 305 transmitted in the same TTI asthe PBCH 310. This protection may include CRC protection or scramblingprotection within a data payload transmitted in the PBCH 310.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a CRC computation process with DMRSsignaling information 400 that supports providing protection forinformation delivered in DMRS in accordance with various aspects of thepresent disclosure. The CRC computation process with DMRS signalinginformation 400 may illustrate one possible design for improvingreliability of DMRS signaling information. The process may show a UE,such as UE 115-b, generating the DMRS and data payload, and transmittingthe DMRS and data payload on an uplink communication link 405 to basestation 105-b. However, the CRC computation process with DMRS signalinginformation 400 may apply in the downlink as well. For example, basestation 105-b may perform the transmitter side processes, while UE 115-bmay perform the receiver side processes.

As illustrated, UE 115-b may perform a set of transmitter side processesto protect DMRS signaling information. The DMRS signaling informationmay be included in N1 bits within a DMRS. Further signaling informationmay be included in N2 bits included in a data payload. However, in someexamples, the data payload may not include any further signalinginformation bits (e.g., there may be 0 N2 bits). Additionally, the datapayload may include M other information bits. UE 115-b may perform a CRCcomputation at 410 on the N1 bits, the N2 bits, and the M bits. The CRCcomputation may be an example of a systematic cyclic code, a polynomialdivision algorithm, a shift register based division algorithm, or anysimilar functions for determining a set of CRC bits based on a set ofinput bits (e.g., in this aspect, the N1 bits, the N2 bits, and the Mbits). The CRC computation at 410 may result in K CRC bits, which UE115-b may attach or append to the data payload at 415. With the CRC bitsincluded in the data payload, UE 115-b may transmit the DMRS and thepayload to base station 105-b (e.g., using a format such as the onedescribed with reference to FIG. 3) on the uplink communication link405, which may be an example of a physical data channel.

Base station 105-b may receive the DMRS and the data payload, and mayperform a set of receiver side functions in order to determine theinformation carried in the DMRS and the data payload. Base station 105-bmay detect N1 signaling information bits based on the DMRS at 420.Additionally, base station 105-b may decode N2 additional signalinginformation bits, as well as M other information bits, based on the datapayload received over the physical data channel at 425. At 430, basestation 105-b may perform CRC verification on the detected and decodedbits. For example, base station 105-b may perform a CRC function on theN1, N2, and M bits in order to determine an expected value for the setof CRC bits attached to the data payload. At 435, base station 105-b maycompare the expected set of CRC bits to the actual received set of CRCbits. If the expected and received sets of CRC bits match, the CRC maypass and base station 105-b may determine that the signaling informationin the DMRS and the signaling and other information in the data payloadwere detected and decoded correctly. If the expected set of CRC bits isdifferent than the received set of CRC bits, the CRC may fail, and basestation 105-b may determine that the signaling information in the DMRS,the signaling and other information in the data payload, or acombination of the two was incorrectly detected or decoded. In this way,the CRC bits included in the data payload may check not only theaccuracy of the information contained in the data payload, but also theaccuracy of information detected in the DMRS transmission.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a CRC masking process with DMRSsignaling information 500 that supports providing protection forinformation delivered in DMRS in accordance with various aspects of thepresent disclosure. The CRC masking process with DMRS signalinginformation 500 may illustrate one possible design for improvingreliability of DMRS signaling information. The process may show a UE,such as UE 115-c, generating the DMRS and data payload, and transmittingthe DMRS and data payload on an uplink communication link 505 to basestation 105-c. However, the CRC masking process with DMRS signalinginformation 500 may apply in the downlink as well. For example, basestation 105-c may perform the transmitter side processes, while UE 115-cmay perform the receiver side processes.

UE 115-c may perform a set of transmitter side processes to protect DMRSsignaling information. The DMRS signaling information may be included inN1 bits within a DMRS. Further signaling information may be included inN2 bits included in a data payload. However, in some examples, the datapayload may not include any further signaling information bits.Additionally, the data payload may include M other information bits. UE115-c may perform a CRC computation at 510 on the N2 bits and the Mbits. The CRC computation at 510 may result in K CRC bits, which may bereferred to as preliminary CRC bits. Rather than attaching the resultingCRC bits to the data payload, UE 115-c may perform a masking process onthe preliminary CRC bits at 515. The masking process may be based on theN1 signaling information bits transmitted in the DMRS. In this way, theresulting masked CRC bits are based on both the N1 signaling informationbits from the DMRS and the N2 and M information bits from the datapayload. UE 115-c may attach the masked CRC bits to the data payload at520. With the masked CRC bits included in the data payload, UE 115-c maytransmit the DMRS and the payload to base station 105-c on the uplinkcommunication link 505, which may be an example of a physical datachannel.

Base station 105-c may receive the DMRS and the data payload, and mayperform a set of receiver side functions in order to determine theinformation carried in the DMRS and the data payload. Base station 105-cmay detect N1 signaling information bits based on the DMRS at 525.Additionally, base station 105-c may decode N2 additional signalinginformation bits, as well as M other information bits, based on the datapayload received over the physical data channel at 530. At 535, basestation 105-b may perform CRC verification on the detected and decodedbits. For example, base station 105-c may first perform a function(e.g., an inverse masking function) on the received masked CRC bitsbased on the detected N1 signaling information bits in the DMRS. Basestation 105-c may additionally perform a CRC function on the decoded N2additional signaling information bits and M other information bits inthe data payload to obtain an expected un-masked set of CRC bits. At540, base station 105-c may compare the expected un-masked set of CRCbits to the output of the function (e.g., the inverse masking function).If the expected un-masked CRC bits match the output of the function, theCRC may pass and base station 105-c may determine that the signalinginformation in the DMRS and the signaling and other information in thedata payload were detected and decoded correctly. If the expectedun-masked CRC bits are different than the output of the function, theCRC may fail, and base station 105-c may determine that the signalinginformation in the DMRS, the signaling and other information in the datapayload, or a combination of the two was incorrectly detected ordecoded. In this way, the masked CRC bits included in the data payloadmay check not only the accuracy of the information contained in the datapayload, but also the accuracy of information detected in the DMRStransmission.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a potential CRC masking function 600that supports providing protection for information delivered in DMRS inaccordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The potentialCRC masking function 600 may be performed at 515 by a transmittingdevice—such as a base station or a UE—as described with reference toFIG. 5. While FIG. 6 illustrates a potential CRC masking function 600, atransmitting device may implement other CRC masking functions in orderto provide protection within a data payload for information in a DMRS.

A device may perform a CRC computation at 605, using N2 signalinginformation bits and M other information bits from a data payload asinputs. The CRC computation may output a preliminary set of CRC bits,which may be referred to as a P array 610. The P array 610 may contain Ktotal bits, which may be the same number of bits as the device hasallocated for CRC bits in the data payload.

At 615, the device may mask the preliminary set of CRC bits based on N1signaling information bits 625 from a DMRS. In one aspect, the devicemay utilize a lookup table 620. The lookup table may include allpossible values for the N1 signaling information bits 625, andcorresponding X arrays 630. The X arrays 630 may be examples of distinctsets of bits also of length K. In another aspect, rather than using alookup table 620, the device may implement a projecting function toproject each value of N1 signaling information bits 625 onto an array ofK bits. In this way, the device may convert the signaling informationcontained in the DMRS into a set of bits (e.g., an X array 630, whichmay be referred to as masking bits) equal in size to the preliminary setof CRC bits (e.g., the P array 610).

The device may perform an operation based on the P array 610 and the Xarray 630 to calculate a Y array 635 of masked CRC bits. For example,the device may perform an elementwise exclusive or (XOR) function on theP array 610 and the X array 630. For example, the device may perform anXOR function on the p0 and x0 indices of the P array 610 and the X array630, respectively, and may assign the result of the function to the y0index of the Y array 635. The device may apply this same process to theother indices of the P array 610 and the X array 630 to compute theremaining indices of the resulting Y array 635. At 640, the device mayattach the computed masked CRC bits of the Y array 635 to the datapayload for transmission.

A device receiving the data payload and a corresponding DMRS may detectN1 signaling information bits 625 within the DMRS, and may similarlydecode the N2 and M bits of the data payload. The receiving device maythen select an expected X array 630 based on the detected N1 signalinginformation bits 625 and an expected P array 610 based on the decoded N2and M bits, and may perform an elementwise XOR function on the expectedarrays to determine an expected Y array 635. The receiving device maycompare the expected Y array 635 to the masked CRC bits received in thedata payload to verify the detected and decoded information.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a process flow 700 that supportsproviding protection for information delivered in DMRS in accordancewith various aspects of the present disclosure. The process flow 700 mayinclude a base station 105-d and UE 115-d, which may be examples of thecorresponding devices described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Theprocess flow 700 may illustrate a DMRS transmission on the downlink, butthe same processes may apply to uplink DMRS transmissions as well.

At 705, the transmitting device (e.g., in this example, base station105-d) may identify a set of reference signal bits associated with aDMRS transmission. In one aspect, the set of reference signal bits mayinclude a first subset of reference signal bits to be conveyed with theDMRS transmission and a second subset of reference signal bits to beconveyed with the data transmission.

At 710, base station 105-d may identify a set of data bits associatedwith a data transmission. Base station 105-d may identify the set ofdata bits before or at the same time as the set of reference signalbits. Additionally, base station 105-d may identify a scrambling codebased on the reference signal bits, and may scramble the data bits basedon the scrambling code.

At 715, base station 105-d may calculate a set of CRC bits based on theset of reference signal bits and the set of data bits. In one aspect,base station 105-d may calculate the set of CRC bits based on the firstsubset of reference signal bits, the second subset of reference signalbits, and the set of data bits. In another aspect, base station 105-dmay calculate a subset of the set of CRC bits based on the second subsetof reference signal bits and the set of data bits, and may mask thesubset of the set of CRC bits using the first subset of reference signalbits. For example, base station 105-d may retrieve a bit string based onthe first subset of reference signal bits, and may combine the subset ofthe set of CRC bits with the bit string using an XOR function. Basestation 105-d may append the set of CRC bits to the data bits.

Calculating the set of CRC bits may further include base station 105-dreceiving configuration signaling indicating a CRC configuration forcalculating the set of CRC bits. Additionally, base station 105-d mayswitch from a first CRC configuration for calculating the set of CRCbits to a second CRC configuration for calculating the set of CRC bits.In one aspect, this switch may be based on a size of the set ofreference signal bits, a size of the set of data bits, a size of the setof CRC bits, or some combination of these sizes.

At 720, base station 105-d may transmit the DMRS transmission and thedata transmission with the set of CRC bits to UE 115-d. In one aspect,base station 105-d may transmit the first subset of reference signalbits in the DMRS transmission and the second subset of reference signalbits in the data transmission. Base station 105-d may transmit the datatransmission using a physical data channel, and may transmit the DMRStransmission using resources reserved for DMRS transmissions. The DMRStransmission may convey phase reference information associated with thephysical data channel.

At 725, UE 115-d may detect the set of reference bits associated withthe DMRS transmission. At 730, UE 115-d may decode the set of data bitsassociated with the data transmission. Additionally, UE 115-d mayreceive the set of CRC bits with the data transmission.

At 735, UE 115-d may perform a CRC verification process based on the setof CRC bits. UE 115-d may determine whether or not the CRC verificationis successful based on the detected set of reference signal bits and thedecoded set of data bits.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a process flow 800 that supportsproviding protection for information delivered in DMRS in accordancewith various aspects of the present disclosure. The process flow 800 mayinclude a base station 105-e and UE 115-e, which may be examples of thecorresponding devices described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Theprocess flow 800 may illustrate a DMRS transmission on the downlink, butthe same processes may apply to uplink DMRS transmissions as well.

At 805, the transmitting device (e.g., in this example, base station105-e) may identify a set of reference signal bits associated with aDMRS transmission. At 810, base station 105-e may identify a set of databits associated with a data transmission. In one aspect, base station105-e may identify the set of data bits before or at the same time asthe set of reference signal bits.

At 815, base station 105-e may identify a scrambling code based on thereference signal bits. At 820, base station 105-e may scramble the databits based on the identified scrambling code. In some examples, basestation 105-e may additionally calculate a set of CRC bits based on thereference signal bits and the data bits.

At 825, base station 105-e may transmit the DMRS transmission and thedata transmission to UE 115-e. For example, base station 105-e maytransmit the data transmission using a physical data channel, and maytransmit the DMRS transmission using resources reserved for DMRStransmissions. The DMRS transmission may include an indication of aphase reference associated with the physical data channel.

At 830, UE 115-e may detect the set of reference bits associated withthe DMRS transmission. At 835, UE 115-e may decode the set of data bits.UE 115-e may determine the scrambling code based on the detected set ofreference bits, and may decode the set of data bits based onun-scrambling the bits using the determined scrambling code.

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram 900 of a wireless device 905 that supportsproviding protection for information delivered in DMRS in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure. Wireless device 905 may be anexample of aspects of a UE 115 or base station 105 as described herein.Wireless device 905 may include receiver 910, DMRS protection module915, and transmitter 920. Wireless device 905 may also include aprocessor. Each of these components may be in communication with oneanother (e.g., via one or more buses).

Receiver 910 may receive information such as packets, user data, orcontrol information associated with various information channels (e.g.,control channels, data channels, and information related to providingprotection for information delivered in DMRS, etc.). Information may bepassed on to other components of the device. The receiver 910 may be anexample of aspects of the transceiver 1235 described with reference toFIG. 12. The receiver 910 may utilize a single antenna or a set ofantennas. DMRS protection module 915 may be an example of aspects of theDMRS protection module 1215 or 1315 as described with reference to FIGS.12 and 13.

DMRS protection module 915 and/or at least some of its varioussub-components may be implemented in hardware, software executed by aprocessor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented insoftware executed by a processor, the functions of the DMRS protectionmodule 915 and/or at least some of its various sub-components may beexecuted by a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor(DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), anfield-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device,discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or anycombination thereof designed to perform the functions described in thepresent disclosure. The DMRS protection module 915 and/or at least someof its various sub-components may be physically located at variouspositions, including being distributed such that portions of functionsare implemented at different physical locations by one or more physicaldevices. In some examples, DMRS protection module 915 and/or at leastsome of its various sub-components may be a separate and distinctcomponent in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.In other examples, DMRS protection module 915 and/or at least some ofits various sub-components may be combined with one or more otherhardware components, including but not limited to an I/O component, atransceiver, a network server, another computing device, one or moreother components described in the present disclosure, or a combinationthereof in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

DMRS protection module 915 may identify a set of reference signal bitsassociated with a DMRS transmission and a set of data bits associatedwith a data transmission and calculate a set of CRC bits based on boththe set of reference signal bits and the set of data bits. The DMRSprotection module 915 may also detect a set of reference signal bitsassociated with a DMRS transmission, decode a set of data bitsassociated with a data transmission, receive a set of CRC bits with theset of data bits, and perform a CRC verification process based on theset of CRC bits, where the set of CRC bits is computed based on both theset of reference signal bits and the set of data bits. The DMRSprotection module 915 may additionally identify a set of referencesignal bits associated with a DMRS transmission and a set of data bitsassociated with a data transmission, identify a scrambling code based onthe set of reference signal bits, and scramble the set of data bitsbased on the identified scrambling code.

Transmitter 920 may transmit signals generated by other components ofthe device. Transmitter 920 may transmit the DMRS transmission and thedata transmission with the set of CRC bits. In some examples, thetransmitter 920 may be collocated with a receiver 910 in a transceivermodule. For example, the transmitter 920 may be an example of aspects ofthe transceiver 1235 described with reference to FIG. 12. Thetransmitter 920 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

FIG. 10 shows a block diagram 1000 of a wireless device 1005 thatsupports providing protection for information delivered in DMRS inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Wireless device 1005may be an example of aspects of a wireless device 905 or a UE 115 orbase station 105 as described with reference to FIG. 9. Wireless device1005 may include receiver 1010, DMRS protection module 1015, andtransmitter 1020. Wireless device 1005 may also include a processor.Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g.,via one or more buses).

Receiver 1010 may receive information such as packets, user data, orcontrol information associated with various information channels (e.g.,control channels, data channels, and information related to providingprotection for information delivered in DMRS, etc.). Information may bepassed on to other components of the device. The receiver 1010 may be anexample of aspects of the transceiver 1235 described with reference toFIG. 12. The receiver 1010 may utilize a single antenna or a set ofantennas.

DMRS protection module 1015 may be an example of aspects of the DMRSprotection module 1215 or 1315 described with reference to FIGS. 12 and13. DMRS protection module 1015 may also include identificationcomponent 1025, CRC component 1030, detection component 1035, decoder1040, CRC verification component 1045, and scrambling component 1050.

Identification component 1025 may identify a set of reference signalbits associated with a DMRS transmission and a set of data bitsassociated with a data transmission. In one aspect, the set of referencesignal bits includes a first subset of reference signal bits that areconveyed with the DMRS transmission and a second subset of referencesignal bits that are conveyed with the data transmission.

CRC component 1030 may calculate a set of CRC bits based on both the setof reference signal bits and the set of data bits. In one aspect, CRCcomponent 1030 may calculate a subset of the set of CRC bits based onthe second subset of reference signal bits and the set of data bits. Insome examples, the set of CRC bits are calculated based on the firstsubset of reference signal bits, the second subset of reference signalbits, and the set of data bits.

Detection component 1035 may detect a set of reference signal bitsassociated with a DMRS transmission. Decoder 1040 may decode a set ofdata bits associated with a data transmission.

CRC verification component 1045 may receive a set of CRC bits with theset of data bits, and perform a CRC verification process based on theset of CRC bits, where the set of CRC bits is computed based on both theset of reference signal bits and the set of data bits. CRC verificationcomponent 1045 may additionally determine whether the CRC verificationprocess is successful.

Scrambling component 1050 may identify a scrambling code based on theset of reference signal bits and scramble the set of data bits based onthe identified scrambling code.

Transmitter 1020 may transmit signals generated by other components ofthe device. Transmitter 1020 may transmit the DMRS transmission and thedata transmission with the set of CRC bits. Transmitter 1020 maytransmit the first subset of reference signal bits in the DMRStransmission and the second subset of reference signal bits in the datatransmission. In some examples, transmitter 1020 may transmit the datatransmission in a physical data channel, and may transmit the DMRStransmission using resources reserved for DMRS transmissions. The DMRStransmission may convey phase reference information associated with thephysical data channel. In some examples, the transmitter 1020 may becollocated with a receiver 1010 in a transceiver module. For example,the transmitter 1020 may be an example of aspects of the transceiver1235 described with reference to FIG. 12. The transmitter 1020 mayutilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

FIG. 11 shows a block diagram 1100 of a DMRS protection module 1115 thatsupports providing protection for information delivered in DMRS inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The DMRS protectionmodule 1115 may be an example of aspects of a DMRS protection module915, a DMRS protection module 1015, or a DMRS protection module 1215described with reference to FIGS. 9, 10, 12, and 13. The DMRS protectionmodule 1115 may include identification component 1120, CRC component1125, detection component 1130, decoder 1135, CRC verification component1140, scrambling component 1145, masking component 1150, bit setcombining component 1155, CRC configuration component 1160, and CRCswitching component 1165. Each of these modules may communicate,directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

Identification component 1120 may identify a set of reference signalbits associated with a DMRS transmission and a set of data bitsassociated with a data transmission. In one aspect, the set of referencesignal bits includes a first subset of reference signal bits that areconveyed with the DMRS transmission and a second subset of referencesignal bits that are conveyed with the data transmission.

CRC component 1125 may calculate a set of CRC bits based on both the setof reference signal bits and the set of data bits and calculate a subsetof the set of CRC bits based on the second subset of reference signalbits and the set of data bits. In some examples, the set of CRC bits arecalculated based on the first subset of reference signal bits, thesecond subset of reference signal bits, and the set of data bits.

Detection component 1130 may detect a set of reference signal bitsassociated with a DMRS transmission. In some cases, detection component1130 may detect a set of reference signal bits associated with a DMRStransmission and a set of data bits associated with a data transmission.Decoder 1135 may decode a set of data bits associated with a datatransmission.

CRC verification component 1140 may receive a set of CRC bits with theset of data bits, and may perform a CRC verification process based onthe set of CRC bits, where the set of CRC bits is computed based on boththe set of reference signal bits and the set of data bits. Additionally,CRC verification component 1140 may determine whether the CRCverification process is successful.

Scrambling component 1145 may identify a scrambling code based on theset of reference signal bits and scramble the set of data bits based onthe identified scrambling code. Additionally, scrambling component 1145may identify a scrambling code based on the set of reference signal bitsand descramble the set of data bits based on the identified scramblingcode.

Masking component 1150 may mask the subset of the set of CRC bits by thefirst subset of reference signal bits. Masking component 1150 mayretrieve a bit string based on the first subset of reference signal bitsand combine the subset of the set of CRC bits with the bit string usingan XOR function.

Bit set combining component 1155 may append the set of CRC bits to theset of data bits. CRC configuration component 1160 may receiveconfiguration signaling indicating a CRC configuration for calculatingthe set of CRC bits. CRC switching component 1165 may switch from afirst CRC configuration for calculating the set of CRC bits to a secondCRC configuration for calculating the set of CRC bits and switch fromthe first CRC configuration to the second CRC configuration based on asize of the set of reference signal bits, a size of the set of databits, a size of the set of CRC bits, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 12 shows a diagram of a system 1200 including a device 1205 thatsupports providing protection for information delivered in DMRS inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Device 1205 may be anexample of or include the components of wireless device 905, wirelessdevice 1005, or a UE 115 as described above, e.g., with reference toFIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, 9 and 10. Device 1205 may include components forbi-directional voice and data communications including components fortransmitting and receiving communications, including UE DMRS protectionmodule 1215, processor 1220, memory 1225, software 1230, transceiver1235, antenna 1240, and I/O controller 1245. These components may be inelectronic communication via one or more buses (e.g., bus 1210). Device1205 may communicate wirelessly with one or more base stations 105.

Processor 1220 may include an intelligent hardware device, (e.g., ageneral-purpose processor, a DSP, a central processing unit (CPU), amicrocontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, adiscrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardwarecomponent, or any combination thereof). In one aspect, processor 1220may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller.In another aspect, a memory controller may be integrated into processor1220. Processor 1220 may be configured to execute computer-readableinstructions stored in a memory to perform various functions (e.g.,functions or tasks supporting providing protection for informationdelivered in DMRS).

Memory 1225 may include random access memory (RAM) and read only memory(ROM). The memory 1225 may store computer-readable, computer-executablesoftware 1230 including instructions that, when executed, cause theprocessor to perform various functions described herein. In someexamples, the memory 1225 may contain, among other things, a basicinput/output system (BIOS) which may control basic hardware or softwareoperation such as the interaction with peripheral components or devices.

Software 1230 may include code to implement aspects of the presentdisclosure, including code to support providing protection forinformation delivered in DMRS. Software 1230 may be stored in anon-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or othermemory. In one aspect, the software 1230 may not be directly executableby the processor but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled andexecuted) to perform functions described herein.

Transceiver 1235 may communicate bi-directionally, via one or moreantennas, wired, or wireless links as described above. For example, thetransceiver 1235 may represent a wireless transceiver and maycommunicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. Thetransceiver 1235 may also include a modem to modulate the packets andprovide the modulated packets to the antennas for transmission, and todemodulate packets received from the antennas.

In one aspect, the wireless device may include a single antenna 1240.However, in another aspect, the device may have more than one antenna1240, which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receivingmultiple wireless transmissions.

I/O controller 1245 may manage input and output signals for device 1205.I/O controller 1245 may also manage peripherals not integrated intodevice 1205. In some examples, I/O controller 1245 may represent aphysical connection or port to an external peripheral. In some examples,I/O controller 1245 may utilize an operating system such as iOS®,ANDROID®, MS-DOS®, MS-WINDOWS®, OS/2®, UNIX®, LINUX®, or another knownoperating system. I/O controller 1245 may represent or interact with amodem, a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen, or a similar device. In oneaspect, I/O controller 1245 may be implemented as part of a processor.In some examples, a user may interact with device 1205 via I/Ocontroller 1245 or via hardware components controlled by I/O controller1245.

FIG. 13 shows a diagram of a system 1300 including a device 1305 thatsupports providing protection for information delivered in DMRS inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Device 1305 may be anexample of or include the components of wireless device 905, wirelessdevice 1005, or a base station 105 as described above, e.g., withreference to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, and 10. Device 1305 may includecomponents for bi-directional voice and data communications includingcomponents for transmitting and receiving communications, including basestation DMRS protection module 1315, processor 1320, memory 1325,software 1330, transceiver 1335, antenna 1340, network communicationsmanager 1345, and inter-station communications manager 1350. Thesecomponents may be in electronic communication via one or more buses(e.g., bus 1310). Device 1305 may communicate wirelessly with one ormore UEs 115.

Processor 1320 may include an intelligent hardware device, (e.g., ageneral-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, anFPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logiccomponent, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof).In one aspect, processor 1320 may be configured to operate a memoryarray using a memory controller. In another aspect, a memory controllermay be integrated into processor 1320. Processor 1320 may be configuredto execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory to performvarious functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting providingprotection for information delivered in DMRS).

Memory 1325 may include RAM and ROM. The memory 1325 may storecomputer-readable, computer-executable software 1330 includinginstructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform variousfunctions described herein. In some examples, the memory 1325 maycontain, among other things, a BIOS which may control basic hardware orsoftware operation such as the interaction with peripheral components ordevices.

Software 1330 may include code to implement aspects of the presentdisclosure, including code to support providing protection forinformation delivered in DMRS. Software 1330 may be stored in anon-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or othermemory. In one aspect, the software 1330 may not be directly executableby the processor but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled andexecuted) to perform functions described herein.

Transceiver 1335 may communicate bi-directionally, via one or moreantennas, wired, or wireless links as described above. For example, thetransceiver 1335 may represent a wireless transceiver and maycommunicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. Thetransceiver 1335 may also include a modem to modulate the packets andprovide the modulated packets to the antennas for transmission, and todemodulate packets received from the antennas.

In one aspect, the wireless device may include a single antenna 1340.However, in another aspect, the device may have more than one antenna1340, which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receivingmultiple wireless transmissions.

Network communications manager 1345 may manage communications with thecore network (e.g., via one or more wired backhaul links). For example,the network communications manager 1345 may manage the transfer of datacommunications for client devices, such as one or more UEs 115.

Inter-station communications manager 1350 may manage communications withother base station 105, and may include a controller or scheduler forcontrolling communications with UEs 115 in cooperation with other basestations 105. For example, the inter-station communications manager 1350may coordinate scheduling for transmissions to UEs 115 for variousinterference mitigation techniques such as beamforming or jointtransmission. In some examples, inter-station communications manager1350 may provide an X2 interface within an Long Term Evolution(LTE)/LTE-A wireless communication network technology to providecommunication between base stations 105.

FIG. 14 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1400 for providingprotection for information delivered in DMRS in accordance with aspectsof the present disclosure. The operations of method 1400 may beimplemented by a UE 115 or base station 105 or its components asdescribed herein. For example, the operations of method 1400 may beperformed by a DMRS protection module as described with reference toFIGS. 9 through 12. In some examples, a UE 115 or base station 105 mayexecute a set of codes to control the functional elements of the deviceto perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively,the UE 115 or base station 105 may perform aspects of the functionsdescribed below using special-purpose hardware.

At block 1405 the UE 115 or base station 105 may identify a set ofreference signal bits associated with a DMRS transmission and a set ofdata bits associated with a data transmission. The operations of block1405 may be performed according to the methods described herein. Incertain examples, aspects of the operations of block 1405 may beperformed by an identification component as described with reference toFIGS. 9 through 12.

At block 1410 the UE 115 or base station 105 may calculate a set of CRCbits based at least in part on both the set of reference signal bits andthe set of data bits. The operations of block 1410 may be performedaccording to the methods described herein. In certain examples, aspectsof the operations of block 1410 may be performed by a CRC component asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 9 through 12.

At block 1415 the UE 115 or base station 105 may transmit the DMRStransmission and the data transmission with the set of CRC bits. Theoperations of block 1415 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In certain examples, aspects of the operations ofblock 1415 may be performed by a transmitter as described with referenceto FIGS. 9 through 12.

FIG. 15 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1500 for providingprotection for information delivered in DMRS in accordance with aspectsof the present disclosure. The operations of method 1500 may beimplemented by a UE 115 or base station 105 or its components asdescribed herein. For example, the operations of method 1500 may beperformed by a DMRS protection module as described with reference toFIGS. 9 through 12. In some examples, a UE 115 or base station 105 mayexecute a set of codes to control the functional elements of the deviceto perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively,the UE 115 or base station 105 may perform aspects of the functionsdescribed below using special-purpose hardware.

At block 1505 the UE 115 or base station 105 may identify a set ofreference signal bits associated with a DMRS transmission and a set ofdata bits associated with a data transmission. In some examples, the setof reference signal bits comprises a first subset of reference signalbits that are conveyed with the DMRS transmission and a second subset ofreference signal bits that are conveyed with the data transmission. Theoperations of block 1505 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In certain examples, aspects of the operations ofblock 1505 may be performed by an identification component as describedwith reference to FIGS. 9 through 12.

At block 1510 the UE 115 or base station 105 may calculate a set of CRCbits based at least in part on both the set of reference signal bits andthe set of data bits. The operations of block 1515 may be performedaccording to the methods described herein. In certain examples, aspectsof the operations of block 1515 may be performed by a CRC component asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 9 through 12.

At block 1515 the UE 115 or base station 105 may calculate a subset ofthe set of CRC bits based at least in part on the second subset ofreference signal bits and the set of data bits. The operations of block1520 may be performed according to the methods described herein. Incertain examples, aspects of the operations of block 1520 may beperformed by a CRC component as described with reference to FIGS. 9through 12.

At block 1520 the UE 115 or base station 105 may mask the subset of theset of CRC bits by the first subset of reference signal bits. Theoperations of block 1525 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In certain examples, aspects of the operations ofblock 1525 may be performed by a masking component as described withreference to FIGS. 9 through 12.

At block 1525 the UE 115 or base station 105 may transmit the DMRStransmission and the data transmission with the set of CRC bits. Theoperations of block 1530 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In certain examples, aspects of the operations ofblock 1530 may be performed by a transmitter as described with referenceto FIGS. 9 through 12.

FIG. 16 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1600 for providingprotection for information delivered in DMRS in accordance with aspectsof the present disclosure. The operations of method 1600 may beimplemented by a UE 115 or base station 105 or its components asdescribed herein. For example, the operations of method 1600 may beperformed by a DMRS protection module as described with reference toFIGS. 9 through 12. In some examples, a UE 115 or base station 105 mayexecute a set of codes to control the functional elements of the deviceto perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively,the UE 115 or base station 105 may perform aspects of the functionsdescribed below using special-purpose hardware.

At block 1605 the UE 115 or base station 105 may identify a set ofreference signal bits associated with a DMRS transmission and a set ofdata bits associated with a data transmission. In some examples, the setof reference signal bits comprises a first subset of reference signalbits that are conveyed with the DMRS transmission and a second subset ofreference signal bits that are conveyed with the data transmission. Theoperations of block 1605 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In certain examples, aspects of the operations ofblock 1605 may be performed by an identification component as describedwith reference to FIGS. 9 through 12.

At block 1610 the UE 115 or base station 105 may calculate a set of CRCbits based at least in part on the first subset of reference signalbits, the second subset of reference bits, and the set of data bits. Theoperations of block 1615 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In certain examples, aspects of the operations ofblock 1615 may be performed by a CRC component as described withreference to FIGS. 9 through 12.

At block 1615 the UE 115 or base station 105 may transmit the DMRStransmission and the data transmission with the set of CRC bits. Theoperations of block 1625 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In certain examples, aspects of the operations ofblock 1625 may be performed by a transmitter as described with referenceto FIGS. 9 through 12.

FIG. 17 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1700 for providingprotection for information delivered in DMRS in accordance with aspectsof the present disclosure. The operations of method 1700 may beimplemented by a UE 115 or base station 105 or its components asdescribed herein. For example, the operations of method 1700 may beperformed by a DMRS protection module as described with reference toFIGS. 9 through 12. In some examples, a UE 115 or base station 105 mayexecute a set of codes to control the functional elements of the deviceto perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively,the UE 115 or base station 105 may perform aspects of the functionsdescribed below using special-purpose hardware.

At block 1705 the UE 115 or base station 105 may detect a set ofreference signal bits associated with a DMRS transmission. Theoperations of block 1705 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In certain examples, aspects of the operations ofblock 1705 may be performed by a detection component as described withreference to FIGS. 9 through 12.

At block 1710 the UE 115 or base station 105 may decode a set of databits associated with a data transmission. The operations of block 1710may be performed according to the methods described herein. In certainexamples, aspects of the operations of block 1710 may be performed by adecoder as described with reference to FIGS. 9 through 12.

At block 1715 the UE 115 or base station 105 may receive a set of CRCbits with the set of data bits. The operations of block 1715 may beperformed according to the methods described herein. In certainexamples, aspects of the operations of block 1715 may be performed by aCRC verification component as described with reference to FIGS. 9through 12.

At block 1720 the UE 115 or base station 105 may perform a CRCverification process based at least in part on the set of CRC bits,wherein the set of CRC bits is computed based at least in part on boththe set of reference signal bits and the set of data bits. Theoperations of block 1720 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In certain examples, aspects of the operations ofblock 1720 may be performed by a CRC verification component as describedwith reference to FIGS. 9 through 12.

FIG. 18 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1800 for providingprotection for information delivered in DMRS in accordance with aspectsof the present disclosure. The operations of method 1800 may beimplemented by a UE 115 or base station 105 or its components asdescribed herein. For example, the operations of method 1800 may beperformed by a DMRS protection module as described with reference toFIGS. 9 through 12. In some examples, a UE 115 or base station 105 mayexecute a set of codes to control the functional elements of the deviceto perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively,the UE 115 or base station 105 may perform aspects of the functionsdescribed below using special-purpose hardware.

At block 1805 the UE 115 or base station 105 may identify a set ofreference signal bits associated with a DMRS transmission and a set ofdata bits associated with a data transmission. The operations of block1805 may be performed according to the methods described herein. Incertain examples, aspects of the operations of block 1805 may beperformed by an identification component as described with reference toFIGS. 9 through 12.

At block 1810 the UE 115 or base station 105 may identify a scramblingcode based at least in part on the set of reference signal bits. Theoperations of block 1810 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In certain examples, aspects of the operations ofblock 1810 may be performed by a scrambling component as described withreference to FIGS. 9 through 12.

At block 1815 the UE 115 or base station 105 may scramble the set ofdata bits based at least in part on the identified scrambling code. Theoperations of block 1815 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In certain examples, aspects of the operations ofblock 1815 may be performed by a scrambling component as described withreference to FIGS. 9 through 12.

At block 1820 the UE 115 or base station 105 may transmit the DMRStransmission and the data transmission. The operations of block 1820 maybe performed according to the methods described herein. In certainexamples, aspects of the operations of block 1820 may be performed by atransmitter as described with reference to FIGS. 9 through 12.

FIG. 19 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1900 for providingprotection for information delivered in DMRS in accordance with aspectsof the present disclosure. The operations of method 1900 may beimplemented by a default or its components as described herein. Forexample, the operations of method 1900 may be performed by a DMRSprotection module as described with reference to FIGS. 9 through 12. Insome examples, a UE 115 or base station 105 may execute a set of codesto control the functional elements of the device to perform thefunctions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the UE 115 orbase station 105 may perform aspects of the functions described belowusing special-purpose hardware.

At 1905, the UE 115 or base station 105 may detect a set of referencesignal bits associated with a DMRS transmission and a set of data bitsassociated with a data transmission. The operations of 1905 may beperformed according to the methods described herein. In some examples,aspects of the operations of 1905 may be performed by a detectioncomponent as described with reference to FIGS. 9 through 12.

At 1910, the UE 115 or base station 105 may identify a scrambling codebased on the set of reference signal bits. The operations of 1910 may beperformed according to the methods described herein. In some examples,aspects of the operations of 1910 may be performed by a scramblingcomponent as described with reference to FIGS. 9 through 12.

At 1915, the UE 115 or base station 105 may descramble the set of databits based on the identified scrambling code. The operations of 1915 maybe performed according to the methods described herein. In someexamples, aspects of the operations of 1915 may be performed by ascrambling component as described with reference to FIGS. 9 through 12.In some cases, the UE 115 or base station 105 may fail when scramblingthe set of data bits when the identified scrambling code is incorrect.For example, when a UE 115 incorrectly decodes the DMRS, the decoding ofthe data channel would automatically fail.

It should be noted that the methods described above describe possibleimplementations, and that the operations and the steps may be rearrangedor otherwise modified and that other implementations are possible.Further, aspects from two or more of the methods may be combined.

Techniques described herein may be used for various wirelesscommunications systems such as code division multiple access (CDMA),time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access(FDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), singlecarrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA), and other systems.The terms “system” and “network” are often used interchangeably. A codedivision multiple access (CDMA) system may implement a radio technologysuch as CDMA2000, Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), etc.CDMA2000 covers IS-2000, IS-95, and IS-856 standards. IS-2000 Releasesmay be commonly referred to as CDMA2000 1×, 1×, etc. IS-856 (TIA-856) iscommonly referred to as CDMA2000 1×EV-DO, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD),etc. UTRA includes Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) and other variants of CDMA. ATDMA system may implement a radio technology such as Global System forMobile Communications (GSM).

An OFDMA system may implement a radio technology such as Ultra MobileBroadband (UMB), Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE802.20, Flash-OFDM, etc. UTRA and E-UTRA are part of Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS). LTE and LTE-A are releases of UMTSthat use E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, NR, and GSM aredescribed in documents from the organization named “3rd GenerationPartnership Project” (3GPP). CDMA2000 and UMB are described in documentsfrom an organization named “3rd Generation Partnership Project 2”(3GPP2). The techniques described herein may be used for the systems andradio technologies mentioned above as well as other systems and radiotechnologies. While aspects of an LTE or an NR system may be describedfor purposes of example, and LTE or NR terminology may be used in muchof the description, the techniques described herein are applicablebeyond LTE or NR applications.

In LTE/LTE-A networks, including such networks described herein, theterm evolved node B (eNB) may be generally used to describe the basestations. The wireless communications system or systems described hereinmay include a heterogeneous LTE/LTE-A or NR network in which differenttypes of eNBs provide coverage for various geographical regions. Forexample, each eNB, next generation NodeB (gNB), or base station mayprovide communication coverage for a macro cell, a small cell, or othertypes of cell. The term “cell” may be used to describe a base station, acarrier or component carrier associated with a base station, or acoverage area (e.g., sector, etc.) of a carrier or base station,depending on context.

Base stations may include or may be referred to by those skilled in theart as a base transceiver station, a radio base station, an accesspoint, a radio transceiver, a NodeB, eNodeB (eNB), gNB, Home NodeB, aHome eNodeB, or some other suitable terminology. The geographic coveragearea for a base station may be divided into sectors making up only aportion of the coverage area. The wireless communications system orsystems described herein may include base stations of different types(e.g., macro or small cell base stations). The UEs described herein maybe able to communicate with various types of base stations and networkequipment including macro eNBs, small cell eNBs, gNBs, relay basestations, and the like. There may be overlapping geographic coverageareas for different technologies.

A macro cell generally covers a relatively large geographic area (e.g.,several kilometers in radius) and may allow unrestricted access by UEswith service subscriptions with the network provider. A small cell is alower-powered base station, as compared with a macro cell, that mayoperate in the same or different (e.g., licensed, unlicensed, etc.)frequency bands as macro cells. Small cells may include pico cells,femto cells, and micro cells according to various examples. A pico cell,for example, may cover a small geographic area and may allowunrestricted access by UEs with service subscriptions with the networkprovider. A femto cell may also cover a small geographic area (e.g., ahome) and may provide restricted access by UEs having an associationwith the femto cell (e.g., UEs in a closed subscriber group (CSG), UEsfor users in the home, and the like). An eNB for a macro cell may bereferred to as a macro eNB. An eNB for a small cell may be referred toas a small cell eNB, a pico eNB, a femto eNB, or a home eNB. An eNB maysupport one or multiple (e.g., two, three, four, and the like) cells(e.g., component carriers).

The wireless communications system or systems described herein maysupport synchronous or asynchronous operation. For synchronousoperation, the base stations may have similar frame timing, andtransmissions from different base stations may be approximately alignedin time. For asynchronous operation, the base stations may havedifferent frame timing, and transmissions from different base stationsmay not be aligned in time. The techniques described herein may be usedfor either synchronous or asynchronous operations.

The downlink transmissions described herein may also be called forwardlink transmissions while the uplink transmissions may also be calledreverse link transmissions. Each communication link describedherein—including, for example, wireless communications system 100 and200 of FIGS. 1 and 2—may include one or more carriers, where eachcarrier may be a signal made up of multiple sub-carriers (e.g., waveformsignals of different frequencies).

The description set forth herein, in connection with the appendeddrawings, describes example configurations and does not represent allthe examples that may be implemented or that are within the scope of theclaims. The term “exemplary” used herein means “serving as an example,instance, or illustration,” and not “preferred” or “advantageous overother examples.” The detailed description includes specific details forthe purpose of providing an understanding of the described techniques.These techniques, however, may be practiced without these specificdetails. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shownin block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of thedescribed examples.

In the appended figures, similar components or features may have thesame reference label. Further, various components of the same type maybe distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a secondlabel that distinguishes among the similar components. If just the firstreference label is used in the specification, the description isapplicable to any one of the similar components having the same firstreference label irrespective of the second reference label.

Information and signals described herein may be represented using any ofa variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data,instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chipsthat may be referenced throughout the above description may berepresented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magneticfields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combinationthereof.

The various illustrative blocks and modules described in connection withthe disclosure herein may be implemented or performed with ageneral-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmablelogic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functionsdescribed herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor,but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor,controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also beimplemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combinationof a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or moremicroprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration).

The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, softwareexecuted by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. Ifimplemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may bestored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on acomputer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are withinthe scope of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to thenature of software, functions described above can be implemented usingsoftware executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, orcombinations of any of these. Features implementing functions may alsobe physically located at various positions, including being distributedsuch that portions of functions are implemented at different physicallocations. Also, as used herein, including in the claims, “or” as usedin a list of items (for example, a list of items prefaced by a phrasesuch as “at least one of” or “one or more of”) indicates an inclusivelist such that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C meansA or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Also, asused herein, the phrase “based on” shall not be construed as a referenceto a closed set of conditions. For example, an exemplary step that isdescribed as “based on condition A” may be based on both a condition Aand a condition B without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shallbe construed in the same manner as the phrase “based at least in parton.”

Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storagemedia and communication media including any medium that facilitatestransfer of a computer program from one place to another. Anon-transitory storage medium may be any available medium that can beaccessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way ofexample, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media maycomprise RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read only memory(EEPROM), compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magneticdisk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any othernon-transitory medium that can be used to carry or store desired programcode means in the form of instructions or data structures and that canbe accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or ageneral-purpose or special-purpose processor. Also, any connection isproperly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the softwareis transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using acoaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line(DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave,then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, orwireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave areincluded in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein,include CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD),floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce datamagnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.Combinations of the above are also included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media.

The description herein is provided to enable a person skilled in the artto make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosurewill be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the genericprinciples defined herein may be applied to other variations withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is notlimited to the examples and designs described herein, but is to beaccorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novelfeatures disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for wireless communication, comprising:detecting a set of reference signal bits associated with a demodulationreference signal (DMRS) transmission and a set of data bits associatedwith a data transmission on a physical data channel, wherein the set ofreference signal bits comprise a timing indication of the physical datachannel; identifying a scrambling code for the set of data bits based atleast in part on the set of reference signal bits; and descrambling theset of data bits based at least in part on the identified scramblingcode.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the data transmission istransmitted using a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), and wherein theDMRS transmission is associated with the PBCH.
 3. The method of claim 1,further comprising: performing a cyclic redundancy check (CRC)verification process based at least in part on a set of CRC bits,wherein the set of CRC bits is computed based at least in part on boththe set of reference signal bits and the set of data bits.
 4. A methodfor wireless communication, comprising: identifying a set of referencesignal bits associated with a demodulation reference signal (DMRS)transmission and a set of data bits associated with a data transmissionon a physical data channel, wherein the set of reference signal bitscomprise a timing indication of the physical data channel; identifying ascrambling code for the set of data bits based at least in part on theset of reference signal bits; scrambling the set of data bits based atleast in part on the identified scrambling code; and transmitting theDMRS transmission and the data transmission.
 5. The method of claim 4,further comprising: calculating a set of cyclic redundancy check (CRC)bits based at least in part on both the set of reference signal bits andthe set of data bits.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein: the datatransmission is transmitted using a physical broadcast channel (PBCH);and the DMRS transmission is transmitted using resources reserved forDMRS transmissions, wherein the DMRS transmission is associated with thePBCH.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the DMRS transmission conveysphase reference information associated with the physical data channel.8. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: means foridentifying a set of reference signal bits associated with ademodulation reference signal (DMRS) transmission and a set of data bitsassociated with a data transmission on a physical data channel, whereinthe set of reference signal bits comprise a timing indication of thephysical data channel; means for identifying a scrambling code for theset of data bits based at least in part on the set of reference signalbits; means for scrambling the set of data bits based at least in parton the identified scrambling code; and means for transmitting the DMRStransmission and the data transmission.
 9. An apparatus for wirelesscommunication, comprising: a processor; memory in electroniccommunication with the processor; and instructions stored in the memoryand operable, when executed by the processor, to cause the apparatus to:identify a set of reference signal bits associated with a demodulationreference signal (DMRS) transmission and a set of data bits associatedwith a data transmission on a physical data channel, wherein the set ofreference signal bits comprise a timing indication of the physical datachannel; identify a scrambling code for the set of data bits based atleast in part on the set of reference signal bits; scramble the set ofdata bits based at least in part on the identified scrambling code; andtransmit the DMRS transmission and the data transmission.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the instructions are further executable bythe processor to: calculate a set of cyclic redundancy check (CRC) bitsbased at least in part on both the set of reference signal bits and theset of data bits.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein: the datatransmission is transmitted using a physical broadcast channel (PBCH);and the DMRS transmission is transmitted using resources reserved forDMRS transmissions.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the DMRStransmission conveys phase reference information associated with thephysical data channel.
 13. A non-transitory computer readable mediumstoring code for wireless communication, the code comprisinginstructions executable by a processor to: identify a set of referencesignal bits associated with a demodulation reference signal (DMRS)transmission and a set of data bits associated with a data transmissionon a physical data channel, wherein the set of reference signal bitscomprise a timing indication of the physical data channel; identify ascrambling code for the set of data bits based at least in part on theset of reference signal bits; scramble the set of data bits based atleast in part on the identified scrambling code; and transmit the DMRStransmission and the data transmission.